video

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Jones arrested again! And again...and again...

But this time, she was reportedly injured after being rough handled by QPD officers Fabiola Garcia and Rick Patterson. Roll tape...

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Will La Paz County take the 15 million offer to settle Yakima Company debt?

Investors, along with local businessman and three time former Quarzsite Mayor Richard Oldham have offered La Paz  County a solution to the 14 million dollar and rising (by a hundred thousand every month in interest) debt incurred by the 9.2 million dollar jury award to Jim Willette and Yakima Company in Sept. of 2007.
June 13th press release

http://www.parkerliveonline.com/2011/06/21/former-quartzsite-mayor-proposes-yakima-solution/#comments

http://www.parkerpioneer.net/articles/2011/06/25/news/doc4e0675a94c90e187382268.txt

County Administrator Dan Field worked feverishly with state legislators this spring, to legalize a possible excise tax on county residents, but potential investors say that a public private partnership or "PPP" can avoid that scenario.



According to the website for La Paz Disposal LLC:

What is a PPP?

A Public-Private Partnership [PPP] is a contractual agreement between a public agency [federal, state or local] and a private sector entity.

Through this agreement, the skills and assets of each sector [public and private] are shared in delivering a service or facility for the use of the general public.

In addition to the sharing of resources, each party shares in the risks and rewards potential in the delivery of the service and/or facility. 

History of the PPP

Jan Brewer, as Governor of Arizona, signed into law  on July 13, 2009, House Bill 2396 which provides for the establishment of Public Private Partnerships in Arizona.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Here comes the next contestant...




Who will they appoint to  the Quartzsite Town Council  on Tuesday night? That's the question on everyone's minds now that "Just say - No way Jose" Lizarraga has officially resigned from his council seat to run against "People's Mayor" Ed Foster, in the August recall election.

NEW BUSINESS:


062811 – 1. Discussion and possible acceptance of Council Member Lizarraga’s resignation and discussion regarding filling the vacancy. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

Many are speculating that they will reinstall their favorite puppet, former acting like a mayor "Waffling Wes" Huntley. Huntley is currently a co-defendant in the Jennifer Jones harassment lawsuit against the town council, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, and Town mismanager Alex Taft. Jones, the publisher of popular newspaper "the  Desert Freedom Press" is apparently also running for the mayor's seat.

Some speculate that other possible appointees are political mouthpiece Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear, Violet Kiss(ass), welfare granny Hygea "half wit" Halfmoon, or dark horse and recent roll over Steve Bennett.

Other items on Tuesday night's agenda are:
062811 – 2. Discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 11-10; declaring as public record that certain document filed with the Town Clerk and entitled “The 2010-11 Amendments to the Tax Code of the Town of Quartzsite”. (Not open for public discussion)
Karen Norris, Town Clerk

062811 – 3. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 11-07; adopting “The 2010-11 Amendments to the Tax Code of the Town of Quartzsite” by reference, establishing an effective date; providing for severability and providing penalties for violations. (Open for public discussion)
Karen Norris, Town Clerk

062811 – 4. Discussion and possible appointment of Public Defender for the Town of Quartzsite Magistrate Court. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

062811 – 5. Discussion and possible appointment of Prosecutor for the Town of Quartzsite Magistrate Court. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

062811 – 6. Discussion and possible approval to advertise a request for Statement of Qualifications for Professional Engineering and Related Services on a Task Order Basis on Town of Quartzsite Transportation and Public Works projects. (Not open for public discussion).
Al Johnson, Asst. Town Manager

062811 – 7. Discussion and possible censure of the Mayor regarding violation of the Quartzsite Council Procedure Manual by releasing for publication comments not shared by the majority of the Council, and without the knowledge or permission of the Town Manager. (Not open for public discussion).
Joe Winslow, Council Member

After the childish show that council members put on at the June 14th meeting, I wouldn't be surprised to if they were so embarrassed that they all phone in their attendance, to avoid having to look their constituents in the eye.

Who will fill the shoes of the fireman who turned his back on the police? See for yourself. "Come on down! You're the next contestant" on our municipal game show. And now, a word from our sponsors - the tax payers of Quartzsite!

Just say "NO WAY" to Jose! He got us into this mess...brought to you by the my pet goldfish could do a better job committee for election reform.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

DPS investigates Police Chief Jeff Gilbert

It has been confirmed by multiple sources that despite town mismanager Alex Taft's efforts at obstructing justice and delaying a proper criminal investigation (as per official town policy) DPS has assigned an investigator to the look into alleged criminal conduct of Quartzsite's Police Chief.

DPS has a separate  "major crimes division", and is considered by everyone but town "leaders" to be the proper authority to investigate other law enforcement entities.

If evidence of a crime is found, DPS has the ability to bring those findings to the FBI or STate Attorney General for prosecution.

As word spread around town today, concerned citizens wanted to know if they could take up a collection to rent the chief and his wife a moving van. But as one critic pointed out, "He wont have to pack, because where Gilbert's probably going, they'll issue him everything he needs!"

Monday, June 20, 2011

It's official - Lizarraga is in!

Quartzsite Councilman Jose Lizarraga 
has turned in paperwork which declares him as a candidate to run against Ed Foster in the August recall election. He has until July 1st to change his mind and decide that his job with the Fire Dept. is more important than $400 a month to be Alex Taft's mouthpiece.

Three other potential candidates have pulled packets, but so far, none have turned anything in.

Lizarraga can expect a knock down drag out battle, in light of his abysmal voting record. Citizens are outraged at his recent votes in favor of firing respected Town Prosecutor Matt Newman and replacing him with Martin Brannan (who is under investigation by the state bar), raising their water and sewer rate fees, assert property rights over the "emergency airstrip", and as of last Tuesday's meeting, convening yet another "ad hoc" committee at taxpayer expense to censure the mayor and then walking off the podium when AZCOPS Vice President Stair attempted to address the council. Read the speech Lizarraga refused to hear at:
http://www.azcops.org/userfiles/JS%20Quartzsite%2006-14.pdf

Mayor Foster has published an excerpt from the police department policy manual which clearly shows that Lizarraga and the others are willfully violating town rules by hiring a "private investigator" instead of a law enforcement agency to look into the criminal charges against the police chief.  The mentality that the rules apply only to us, and not to members of the council or to staff has been enabled for far too long.

A video has been circulating around town, which clearly shows Lizarraga motioning the other council members to walk out of the meeting. We've already had a mayor, Steve Bennett, turn his back on the voters and abandon them. Do we need another?

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Federal Marshall makes arrest at Times Three Family Restaurant!

A little after 11 am today, QPD Officer Rick Patterson, Sgt. Xavier Frausto (in plain clothes) and a US Marshal arrested an unknown man with dark hair,wearing jeans and a black shirt. The arrest took place behind the back door of the Times Three Family Restaurant on W. Main St. next to the Mc Donalds. It is not clear whether the man was an employee of the restaurant, or what he was arrested for.

Photos soon! If you have information, please post it here in the comments!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Roth arrested in front of AZCOPS Vice President at council meeting!

Where to begin? How about at the end?

In front of an all time record setting crowd, estimated at over 200, Barbara Bowman shoved Republican Precinct Committeeman Michael Roth, then former Mayor Steve Bennett grabbed him by the back of his T shirt. The excitement took place after AZCOPS Vice President John Stair made his presentation on behalf of the Quartzsite Police Officers Association. Another man came to Roth's defense. However,  it was Roth who was arrested by Chief Gilbert and his merry band of thugs, Xavier Frausto and Rick Patterson, with Fabiola Garcia rushing in to bring up the rear.

Photo from Parker Pioneer

Ah yes, Quartzsite...the charming little desert town where YOU get arrested for the privilege of being assaulted! Roth was charged with "disorderly conduct" and "resisting arrest", even though he never resisted and was noticeable rough handled by Frausto , who shoved him through the crowd..."Clearly, somebody was going to get arrested at the meeting. For a while we thought it was going to be one of us." said one of the Quartzsite officers who is asking for the chief's dismissal. Numerous witnesses have expressed a willingness to testify on Roth's behalf.

All members of the Quartzsite Town Council literally turned their backs on our police officers, on public safety and on  the citizens they are supposed to represent when they once again walked out of the meeting and tried to bring it to a halt for lack of a quorum. Clearly, a riot could have easily broken out, (and almost did) due to their childish behavior. Town Attorney Pamela Walsma repeatedly exceeded her position by interrupting the mayor and offering her unsolicited opinions, to which Mayor Foster responded "I have it on good authority that once a quorum is established, the meeting may proceed." He reminded her that a legal opinion is just that - an opinion. (And hers has proven to be worthless, time and time again.) Foster also pointed out to the spectators that members of council were having in illegal quorum in the adjoining room, as he patiently waited for them to return to their duty.

New Town Prosecutor Martin Brannan sat next to Walsma for a time, but even he walked out on the meeting. It must have been disturbing to see his prosecution witnesses on the QPD standing in solidarity against his employers!

"Dirty Laundry" Lukkasson is convening another "ad hoc" committee at taxpayers expense to say he doesn't like the Mayor for calling the special meeting on June 1st. It was obvious that he didn't even write his own last minute agenda item, because he couldn't even read it. A witness has come forward that claims Alex Taft was coaching him that morning at his Main St. Eatery.

The police chief's wife Sondra had to be "detained" by her husband, on the way out of the meeting.

Councilman Jose Lizarraga was expected to resign after pulling nomination papers to run for Mayor against Ed Foster, but it didn't happen.

38-296. Limitation upon filing for election by incumbent of elective office
A. Except during the final year of the term being served, no incumbent of a salaried elective office, whether holding by election or appointment, may offer himself for nomination or election to any salaried local, state or federal office.
B. An incumbent of a salaried elected office shall be deemed to have offered himself for nomination or election to a salaried local, state or federal office upon the filing of a nomination paper pursuant to section 16-311, subsection A or formal public declaration of candidacy for such office whichever occurs first.
C. The resignation of the incumbent elective officer duly filed in writing with the officer, board or commission having jurisdiction of the office shall, if not accepted within ten days, be deemed to have become effective as of the date of filing.
D. This section shall not be construed to prohibit a person whose resignation from office has become effective from qualifying as a candidate for another office during the unexpired portion of the term affected by the resignation, nor shall it apply to any incumbent elective officer who seeks re-election to the same office or to any other public office during the final year of the term to which he has been so elected.
E. A person violating any provision of this section is guilty of misfeasance in office and the office held by such person shall be declared vacant.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Controlled burn finally gets a response.


Yesterday morning, the RV Pit stop on Hwy 95 burned off propane from one of their large tanks so that they could retrofit the safety valve. The flame shooting about 20' in the air did not require the attendance of public safety personnel, and both fire department and county dispatch were aware of the situation. 

Today, is a completely different story. An officer from the QPD called in for a full response, and coincidentally, the "free community paper" (ahem...) "ladies" from the Desert you know what quickly showed up for the photo op.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Al Johnson gives concerned citizens the boot!

Including a reporter from the Arizona Republic Newspaper no less! (I can't wait to see how THAT headline will read...)


At the Wednesday, June 1st special meeting of the Quartzsite Common Council, over a hundred citizens attended to show support for QPD officers who had filed formal complaints of unethical and criminal conduct against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert.  Although people were still arriving, the standing room only crowd was told to leave the building by recently promoted assistant town mismanager Al Johnson. 


The meeting was called to order, but quickly adjourned for lack of a quorum, because only Mayor Foster and Councilman Jose Lizzarraga (a potential challenger for the August mayoral recall election) showed up.

In a disgusting display of disrespect for the voters who enabled them to retain their seats, Council members Anderson, Kelley, Winslow, Lukkasson and Cowell all boycotted the meeting. Their lame excuses are posted on the QTown blog. They did not exercise their option to "attend" the meeting by speakerphone and were officially noted as absent on the roll call. The message was loud and clear - none of them are interested in a crisis involving the police department and put private agendas above public safety. 

Town mismanager Alex Taft was also absent. Reportedly on "a planned vacation", she may not have vacationed further than Lukkasson's business on Main St. , where staff and council members were photographed having an not so secret meeting the previous morning, right after they had received several pages of documents detailing the officer's complaints. Her absence left "Building Official"/Planning & Zoning Director"/"Assistant Town Manager" Albert Johnson crowned as king for a day.
Johnson must have been unaware of the Arizona Republic Reporter sitting front row watching this drama unfold. Or quite possibly, he's just too stupid and arrogant to care. 


Although most were concerned over the investigation of Chief Gilbert, citizens never got to hear about case # 1101388 relating to possible charges against Alex Taft for refusing to fill open records requests as ordered by state officials. "Discussion and possible action regarding investigation by the Arizona Ombudsman's Office." was the only other item on the published meeting agenda.

After adjourning the scheduled meeting, Mayor Foster announced that  the lack of council would allow a "town hall" meeting like the absent council have been holding at the Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) for months now, and invited the public to speak. 


Chief Gilbert stated that he wanted the record to note his complaint that this "violated his right to due process", something he clearly doesn't even understand. "Due Process" would only have been an issue if the council had bothered to show up, and taken action. The only rights that were violated were the People's right to peaceably assemble and to free speech, when Mr. Johnson announced that he was closing the building and everyone had to leave. 


It seems obvious why 5 member of the Quartzsite Town Council chose not to attend a meeting where they would have been publicly compelled to put Gilbert on "administrative leave" pending investigation, under Police policy manual section P 448.4 (D). They must have been at Lukkasson's sign painting party! Around noon today, Sondra Gilbert, the chief's wife was photographed with welfare grandma Hygea Halfmoon, Lukkasson and others, loading a freshly painted 6' sign into the bed of a certain little red pick up truck. The sign says "Support Chief Gilbert"...